Money-handling devices



Nov. 3, 1964 G. F.IERICKSON 3,1

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed 001:. 26, 1961 13 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4 GUSTAV E Emcxsou BY ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 e. F. ERICKSON MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES l3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 26, 1961 INVENTOR GUSTAV E Emcxsou ATTORNEY 1964 G. F. ERICKSON 3,155,213

MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES Filed Oct. 26, 1961 13 Sheets-Sheet 4 ralrav-

J LU?" INVENTOR. GUSTAV F. Emcxsou ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 G. F. ERICKSON MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES 13 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 26, 1961 INVENTOR. 2'18 G STAV E ERlCKSON a 4 a a Q mm. a 2% N. a a 5 aka/g (D m. w 2 21%. 9 a a 3 mm 7 3 Q O Q a J 2 a 8 2 Q 3 @w a m m. a H a ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 Filed Oct. 26, 1961 G. F. ERICKSON MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES 13 Sheets-Sheet 6 r 46 9, we

IN VEN TOR. E1 U GUSTAV E EPICKSON Hi i 5 BY ATTOQNEY Nov. 3, I964 15 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 26, 1961 INVENTOR. GUSTAV E' ERICKSON ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 ca. F. ERICKSON MONEY-HANDLING DEVICES 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed Oct. 26, 1961 INVENTOR. GUSTAV F EFHCKSOM ATTORNEY Nov. 3, 1964 G. F. ERICKSON 3,155,213

MONEY HANDLING DEVICES Filed Oct. 26, 1961 13 Sheets-Sheet 1:5

INVENTOR. GUSTAV E ERICKSON ATTORNEY useful.

United States Patent 3,155,213 MGNEY-HANDLING DEVICES Gustav F. Erickson, Kirirwood, Mo., assignor to National Rejectors, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., a corporation of Missouri Filed Oct. 26, 1961, Ser. No. 147,871 30 Claims. (Cl. 194-19) This invention relates to improvements in moneyhandling devices. More particularly, this invention re lates to improvements in coin-handling devices.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved coin-handling device.

Some coin-handling devices are intended to respond to the insertion of a single coin to effect the actuation of a controlled device, such as a vending machine, a washing machine, a dryer, or the like. While such coin-handling devices are useful, a coin-handling device which could respond to the insertion of a number of coins to effect the actuation of a controlled device would be even more Such a coin-handling device would be particularly useful if it had a movable element that was movable dilierent distances by coins of different denominations and if the number of coins which had to be inserted to eifect the actuation of the controlled device could be varied. The present invention provides such a coinhandling device; and the mere shifting of a price-setting plate in that device effects the desired change in the number of coins to which that device will respond. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device which has a movable element that is movable diiferent distances by coins of different denominations and which merely requires the shifting of a price-setting plate to change the number of coins to which that device will respond.

A ratchet wheel is the movable element that is movable different distances by coins of different denominations and the price-setting plate is mounted so it rotates with that ratchet wheel. Because the price-setting plate is rotatable with that ratchet wheel, each unit movement of that ratchet wheel will provide a corresponding unit movement of the price-setting plate. This is desirable because it assures precise setting of the price for the product or service to be provided by the controlled device. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device which has a ratchet wheel that is movable different distances by coins of different denominations and which has a price-setting plate that is rotatable with that ratchet wheel.

While'the price-setting plate is normally held fixed relative to the ratchet wheel by a spring, that price-setting plate can be shifted relative to that ratchet wheel. The spring will yield to permit shifting of that price-setting plate relative to that ratchet wheel, but will thereafter again hold that price-setting plate fixed relative to that rachet wheel. To effect shifting of that price-setting plate relative to that ratchet wheel, it is only necessary to pull an ear on that price-setting plate out of engagement with the teeth of that ratchet wheel, to rotate that price-setting plate relative to that ratchet wheel, and then to permit the spring to move that car into engagement with further teeth on that ratchet wheel. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device with a ratchet wheel that is movable different distances by coins of different denominations and with a spring that normally holds a price-setting plate fixed relative to that ratchet wheel but that can yield to permit shifting of that price-setting plate relative to that ratchet wheel.

The coin-handling device provided by the present invention can be made so it can respond to coins of different denominations and so it can provide different adp ce vancements of the ratchet wheel thereof with the same movement of a coin-actuated lever; Specifically, that device can be made to respond to coins of different denominations and to provide different advancements of the ratchet wheel thereof by using an appropriate slug rejector, by using a coin-actuated lever with an actuator of the appropriate length, and by adjusting the position of an advancement-controlling plate. For example, the selection of the appropriate slug rejector, of the appropriate length actuator for the coin-actuated lever, and of the appropriate position of the advancement-controlling plate will enable the coin-handling device to respond to a nickel, to a dime, or to a quarter-responding to a nickel to provide one advancement of the ratchet wheel, responding to a dime to provide two advancements of that ratchet wheel, and responding to a quarter to provide five advancements of that ratchet wheel. To adjust the position of the advancement-controlling plate, as required for any particular coin, it is only necessary to grasp that plate and shift it to the position indicated by an appropriate numeral on that plate. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coinhandling device and to enable appropriate selection of a slug rejector, appropriate selection of the length of actuator for the coin-actuated lever, and appropriate shifting of the advancement-controlling plate to enable that device to respond to coins of dilferent denominations and to provide diiferent advancements of the ratchet wheel thereof.

The coin-handling device provided by the present invention can respond to coins of different denominations and still provide readily adjustable advancements of the ratchetwheel thereof. The present invention attains this desirable result by using the advancement-controlling plate to establish the initial position of a pawl that is movable into engagement with the ratchet wheel and that subsequently rotates with that ratchet wheel. By using the advancement-controlling plate to establish the initial position of the pawl, the present invention can readily establish the total lengths of the paths of travel of that pawl and ratchet wheel when coins of different denominations are inserted. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device which has a ratchet wheel and which has anadjustable advancement-controlling plate that establishes the initial position of a pawl which is moved into engagement with the ratchet wheel to be rotated by that ratchet wheel.

The adjustment of the position of the advancementcontrolling plate can also provide simultaneous adjustment of the lengths of the paths of travel, of the ratchet wheel, which correspond to coins of diiferent denominations. This is desirable because it eliminates the cost and space'requirements of a second adjustable advancement-controlling plate; and it is also desirable in avoiding the need of adjusting two advancement-controlling plates.

The present invention is enabled to use one pawl to provide different advancements of the ratchet wheel, when coins of differentdenominations are inserted, by providing the same starting point for that pawl but by providing different stopping points for that pawl. The provision of just one pawl to provide different advancements of the ratchet wheel is desirablebecause the coin-handling de;

vice must be actuated solely by inserted coins, and some It is, therefore, an object of the present in response to the insertion of coins of diiferent denominations.

The coin-handling device provided by the present invention has a holding pawl associated with the ratchet wheel and has one or more coin-actuated levers. Where coins of just one denomination are to be accepted, the coin-handling device will have just one coin-actuated lever, but where the coin-handling device is to accept coins of two or more different denominations, that device will have two or more coin-actuated levers. A transfer plate is disposed intermediate the holding pawl and the coin-actuated lever or levers; and that transfer plate will serve to shift the ear on the holding pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel. That transfer plate can be acted upon by each of the levers, but it will be acted upon by only one lever at a time. The use of one transfer plate is desirable because it makes it possible to use different combinations of coin-actuated levers with that transfer plate, and thus makes it possible to standardize many of the components of the coin-handling device and yet enable that device to respond to coins of dif ferent denominations. Furthermore, the use of one transfer plate is desirable because it reduces the total number of parts, and thus reduces the total mass, which must be moved by inserted coins. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a coin-handling device which has a holding pawl for a ratchet wheel, which has a coin-actuated lever for each denomination coin that is to be accepted, and which has a transfer plate that responds to each of said levers to shift the ear on the holding pawl out of engagement with the ratchet wheel.

Where a quarter and a dime are to be accepted by the coin-handling device, the quarter-actuated lever will initially be closely adjacent the transfer plate while the dimeactuated lever will initially be spaced away from that transfer plate. Such spacing of the coin-actuated levers is desirable because it permits full movement of the advancing pawl and of the ratchet wheel when a quarter is inserted, and because it enables a dime to get the dimeactuated lever in motion before that lever must engage and move the transfer plate. In this way, a coin as light as a dime is able to provide full actuation of the coinhandling device, and the dime-actuated lever will not interfere with full rotation of the ratchet wheel when a quarter is inserted. It is, therefore, an object of the pres ent invention to provide a coin-handling device wherein the quarter-actuated lever is initially closely adiacent the transfer plate while the dime-actuated lever is initially spaced away from that transfer plate;

Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from an examination of the drawing and accompanying description.

In the drawing and accompanying description several preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown and described but it is to be understood that the drawing and accompanying description are for the purpose of illustration only and do not limit the invention and that the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

In the drawing, FIG. 1 is a partially broken-away plan view of one embodiment of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention, 7 7

FIG; 2 is a broken-away, front view of the device of FIG.1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view through the device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is'a sectional view through the device of FIG.

1, it 'is taken along the plane indicated by the line 5-5 in FIG. 1, and it shows a partial movement of the nickel actuated lever by dotted lines,

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 6-6 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the transfer plate used in the device of FIG. 1 before that transfer plate has the hub or any pawls assembled with it,

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the transfer plate of FIG. 7 after the lower pawl has been assembled with that transfer plate,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the transfer plate of FIG. 7 after the hub and both pawls have been asscrnbled with that transfer plate,

FIG. 10 is a front view of those components of the device of FIG. 1 which respond to the insertion of a quarter, and it shows the quarter-actuated lever in moved position,

FIG. 11 is a front view of those components of the device of FIG. 1 which respond to the insertion of a dime, and it shows the dime-actuated lever in moved position,

FIG. 12 is a front view of those components of the device of FIG. 1 which respond to the insertion of a nickel, and it shows the nickel-actuated lever in moved position,

FIG. 13 is a sectional view through the device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 13 13 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 14 is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 13, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 14-14 in FIG. 1,

FIG. 15 is a sectional view through the structureshown in FIG. 13, and it is taken along the plane indi-- cated by the line 15-15 in FIG. 13,

FIG. 15A is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 1, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line ISA-15A in FIG. 1,

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the rear of the coin-handling device of FIG. 16,

FIG. 18 is a front elevational viewof the coin-handling device of FIG. 16,

FIG. 19 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 16, andit is taken along the plane indicated by the line 19-19 in FIG. 18,

FIG. 20 isa sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 16, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the broken line 2t2-20 in FIG. 19,

FIG. 21 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 16, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 21-21 in FIG. 19,

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the price-setting plate associated with the ratchet wheel of the coin-handling device of FIG. 16,

FIG. 23 is a rear elevational view of the price-setting plate of FIG. 22 and of the ratchet wheel and latch of the coin-handling device of FIG. 16, and it shows how the price-setting plate rotates with that ratchet wheel to release that latch,

FIG. 24 is a rear elevational view of the structure shown in FIG. 23, and it shows how a different setting of the price-setting plate effects releasing of the latch with a shorter rotation of the ratchet wheel, 7

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the transfer plate of the, coin-handling device of FIG. 16 before that transfer plate has either pawl assembled with it,

FIG. 26 is a front view of those components of the coinhandling device of FIG. 16 which move in response to the insertion of a quarter, it shows the quarter-actuated lever in moved position, and it shows how far the ratchet wheel moves when the advancement-controlling plate is in one position, 1

FIG. 27 is a front elevational view that is similarto FIG. 26 but it shows how far the ratchet wheel moves,

when the advancement-controlling plate is set in a different position,

FIG. 28 is a front elevational view of those components of the coin-handling device of FIG. 16 which move in response to the insertion of a nickel and a dime, and it shows the dime-actuated lever in moved position,

FIG. 29 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of coin-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention,

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the coin-handling device shown in FIG. 29,

FIG. 31 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 29, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 3131 in FIG. 29,

FIG. 32 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 29, and it is taken along the broken plane indicated by the broken line 32-32 in FIG. 31,

FIG. 33 is a sectional view through the coin-handling device of FIG. 29, and it is taken along the plane indicated by the line 3333 in FIG. 31,

FIG. 34 is a perspective view showing the rear of the coin-handling device of FIG. 29, and

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the restoring plate of the coin-handling device of FIG. 29 before the weight and pawl are assembled with that plate.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 56 denotes the main plate of one embodiment of money-handling device that is made in accordance with the principles and teachings of the present invention. That main plate is rectangular in elevation, as shown by FIG. 2, it has a vertically-directed flange 52 at the left-hand side thereof, it has a vertically-directed flange 54 at the right-hand side thereof, and it has a horizontally-directed flange 56 at the top thereof. The flange 56 extends rearwardly from the main plate 50 while the flanges 52 and 54 extend forwardly from that main plate. A generally U-shaped coin chute 58 is secured to the inner face of the flange 52, as by having fasteners 62 extend through openings in a Vertically-directed flange 613 on that chute and seat in threaded openings in the flange 52. The closed-end of that U- shaped coin .chute has a notch 61 therein, as shown particularly by FIG. 2. A second U-shaped coin chute 64 is disposed adjacent the chute 58, and that second coin chute has a vertically-directed flange 66 abutting the inner face of the flange 52. The closed end of the U-shaped coin chute 64 has a notch 63 therein, as shown particularly by .1 IG. 4. A third generally U-shaped coin chute 70 is disposed adjacent the U-shaped coin chute 64, and a vertically-directed flange '72 on the U-shaped coin chute 7i) abuts the inner face of the flange 66 on the U-shaped coin chute 64. Fasteners '76 extend through the flanges 72 and 66, respectively, of the U-shaped coin chutes 7t? and 64 to seat in threaded openings in the flange 52. A notch '74 is formed in the closed end of the U-shaped coin chute 7% as shown particularly by FIG. 5. The lower ends or" the coin chutes 64 and 745 are spaced apart a greater distance than are the upper ends of those coin chutes; all as shown by FIG. A. Speed-reducing pins '71 are mounted in coin chute 58.

The main plate 50 has an arcuate slot '78 therein, and that slot is shown by FIG. 3. An opening is formed in the main plate St) at the geometric center of the arcuate slot '78, and a pivot Si? is fixedly disposed within that opening. That pivot projects forwardly and rearwardly,

respectively, from the front and rearfaces of the main plate 59.

A pivot 82 is fixedly secured to the main plate 5%, and that pivot projects forwardly from the front face of that main plate. That pivot is disposed to the right of the pivot 89, as those pivots are viewed in FIG. 3. A pivot 84 is fixedly secured to the main plate 5i? and that pivot also projects forwardly from the front face of that main plate. The pivot 84is disposed above, and in vertical registry with, the pivot 8i as indicated by FIG. 3; and it is disposed to the right of, and above the level of, the pivot 82,

as those pivots are viewed in FIG. 2. An elongated pin 86 is fixedly secured to the main plate 50 and projects forwardly from the front face of that main plate. That pin is disposed above, and in vertical registry with, the pivots 8t) and 84, as shown by FIG. 3. A short pin 88 is fixedly secured to the main plate 50 and projects forwardly from the front face of that main plate. The pin 88 is closely adjacent the flange 52 and is also closely adjacent the upper edge of the main plate 50.

The numeral 92 denotes a ratchet wheel which has a hub that is telescoped over the pivot and that ratchet wheel has the toothed portion thereof spaced from the main plate Si) by the hub thereof. A pinion is fixedly pressed onto the hub portion of the ratchet wheel 92, as shown by FIG. 6; and that pinion will rotate with that ratchet wheel. A bushing 93 is telescoped within the hub of the ratchet wheel 92; and that bushing is telescoped over, and rotates relative to, the pivot 84; all as shown by FIG. 6. A pin 94 is fixedly secured to the ratchet wheel 92, and that pin projects toward the main plate 59 and extends through and beyond the arcuate slot 78 in that main plate. A C-washer, or other suitable element, not shown, will be used to maintain the ratchet wheel 92 in assembled relation with the pivot 80 while permitting ready rotation of that ratchet wheel relative to that pivot. A washer, not shown, is telescoped over the pivot 80, and that washer abuts the front face of the main plate 5 3. That washer is interposed between the main plate 50 and the hub potrion of the ratchet wheel 92, and it minimizes the frictional forces which act upon the ratchet wheel 92.

The numeral 106 denotes a washer which is telescoped over the pivot 82 and which abuts the front face of the main plate 59. A toothed segment 98 has a hub 10%, and that hub also is telescoped over the pivot 82. The washer 106 serves to hold the teeth of the toothed segment 98 in register with the teeth of the pinion 90 and to minimize the frictional forces which act upon that segment. The teeth of the pinion 9i and of the toothed segment 98am made so they mesh properly with each other. A pin 102 is secured to the toothed segment 98, and a second pin 104' is secured to that toothed segment; and both of those pins project forwardly from the front face of that segment. A C-washer, or other element, will be used to suitably maintain the toothed segment 98 in assembled relation with the pivot 82 while permitting ready rotation of that toothed segment relative to that pivot.

The numeral 1% denotes a helical extension spring which has a loop at the lower end thereof telescoped over the pin 102 and which has a loop at the upper end thereof telescoped over the pin 88. That spring biases the toothed segment 98 for rotation in the counter clockwise direction about the pivot 82. in FIG. 2; but that spring .can yield to permit clockwise rotation of that toothed segment. In biasing the toothed segment 8 for rotation in the counter clockwise direction, the spring 108 also biases the ratchet wheel 92 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2.

The numeral 11% generally denotes a transfer plate which has a shouldered hub 112 secured thereto; and that hub telescopes over the pivot 84. A weight 114 is secured to an arm of the transfer plate 119 which extends upwardly above the level of the shouldered hub 1112; and that weight is disposed to the right of the pivot 34 while the center of mass of the transfer plate is disposed to the left of that pivot. An ear lid is provided on the transfer plate IMF, and that ear extends rearwardly from the rear face of the transfer plate 110 but stops short of the ratchet wheel hi. An ear 118 also is formed on the transfer plate 118, and that car extends forwardly from the front face of that transfer plate. A third ear 12%) is formed on the transfer plate 11%, and that ear also.

extends forwardly from the front face of that transfer plate. The ear 120 is much longer than either of the ears 116 and 113; and the front end of that car is spaced from the main plate Sfl about the same distance which the front end of the pin 86 is spaced from that main plate.

The shoulder on the hub 112 of the transfer plate 119 coacts with the rear face of that transfer plate to define an annular recess adjacent the rear face of that transfer plate, as that transfer plate is viewed in FIG. 2. A pawl 122 has a portion thereof disposed within that recess, and that pawl is able to rotate relative to that transfer plate and relative to that hub. The pawl 122 will be telescoped onto the shoulder or" the shouldered hub 112 before that hub is assembled with the transfer plate 11%; and that transfer plate and that hub will coact to prevent separation of that pawl from that transfer plate. The pawl 322 has an ear 124 thereon adjacent the free end thereof; and that ear extends rearwardly from the plane -5 that pawl but stops short of the main plate The pawl 122 also has an car 126 which lies in the plane of that pawl; and that ear has an opening therein, as shown by FIG. 6.

The numeral 128 denotes a pawl which has an car 136 that extends rearwardly from the plane of that pawl but which stops short of the main plate 59. That pawl also has an ear 132 which extends forwardly from the plane of that pawl. A pivot 134 is secured to the lower end of the transfer plate 110, and'that pivot rotatably secures the pawl 12% to that transfer plate.

A helical extension spring 136 has the lower end thereof hooked through the opening in the ear 12 6 on the pawl 122, and has the upper end thereof hooked around the pin 86, as shown by FIG. 6. That spring biases the ear 124 on the pawl 322 into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet wheel $2, and thereby causes that ear to normally prevent clockwise rotation of that ratchet wheel, as that ratchet wheel is viewed in FIG. 2. However, that spring can yield to permit that ear to move away from those teeth and thereby permit that ratchet wheel to rotate in the clockwise direction. The ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 will respond to counter clockwise rotation of that transfer plate in FIG. 2 to move the car 124 on file pawl 122 out of engagement with the teeth on the ratchet wheel $2.

The numeral 133 denotes a coin-actuated lever which is shown particularly by F165. 5 and 12, and that lever has a hub 142. That hub is telescoped over the pivot 34;, it is closely adjacent the shouldered hub 112 of the transfer plate 119, and it permits the lever 138 to rotate relative to the pivot 84. A weight 1% is secured to the righthand end of the lever 133, as that lever is viewed in FIG. 5; and that weight is disposed to the right of the pivot 84 while the center of mass of the lever 138 is disposed to the left of that pivot. An opening is formed in the lever 13% at a point to the left of the pivot 84 in FIG. 5, and a helical extension spring 154 has the lower end thereof hooked through that opening. The upper end of that helical extension s ing is hooked over the pin 86; and hence that spring ,1 bias the lever 138 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5. However, that spring will be able to yield to permit rotation or that lever in the counter clockwise direction.

The lever 138 has an car 144 thereon, and that car extends rearwardly a short distance from the plate of that lever; and that car overlies and is in'register with the ear 12% on the transfer plate ii-i9. A second and longer ear 146 also extends rearwardly from the plane oithe lever 13%; and that ear is located adiacent the free end of that lever. Two further ears 14;? extend short distances rearwardly from the plane of the lever 138; and those two earscoact with the ear 14-4 to support one end of an actuator which has a coin-receiving portion 152. That coin-receiving portion is disposed within the notch 74 in the closed end of the U-shaped coin chute in, as shown by PEG. 5. The manner of securing the actuator 15% to the lever T38 is shown and described in detail in my copending application Serial No. 808,669 for Coin Separators which was filed April 24; 1959.

The numeral 156 denotes a coin-actuated lever which is shown particularly by FIGS. 4 and 11, and that lever has a hub res. That hub is telescoped over the pivot 84, it is closely adjacent the hub 142 of the lever 138, and it permits the lever 156 to rotate relative to the pivot 84. A weight 158 is secured to the right-hand end of the lever 156, as that lever is viewed in FIG. ll; and that weight is disposed to the right of the pivot 84 while the center of mass of the lever 156 is disposed to the left of that pivot. A short car 162 is provided on the lever 156, and that car extends forwardly from the plane of that lever. An ear 164 which is longer than the car 162 is provided adjacent the free end of the lover 156, and the ear lid extends rearwardly from the plane or" that lever, as shown by FIG. 1. Two ears 166 are provided on the lever 156, and those ears extend forwardly short distances from the plane of that lever; and those two cars coast with the car 162 to hold the right-hand end of an actuator 168 which has a coin-receiving portion 170. That coin-receiving portion extends into the notch es in the closed end of the coin chute 64. A helical extension spring 172 has the lower end thereof hooked through an opening in the lever 156 which is disposed to the left of the pivot 34, and has the upper end thereof hooked around the pin 86. That spring will thus bias the lever 156 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4, but can yield to permit rotation of that lever in the counter clockwise direction.

T he numeral 174 denotes a coin-actuated lever which is shown particularly by FIGS. 2 and 16, and that lever has a hub 178. That hub is telescoped over the pivot 84, it is closely adjacent the hub of the lever 156, and it permits the lever 174 to rotate relative to the pivot 84. A weight 176 is secured to the right-hand end of the lever 174; and that weight is disposed to the right of the pivot 3- while the center of mass of the lever 174 is disposed to the left of that pivot. An car 180 is formed on the lever 3'74, and that ear extends a short distance forwardly from the plane of that lever. Two ears 1S2 extend forwardly short distances from the plane or" the lever FM, and those ears coact with the car 180 to hold an actuator 1% which has a coin-receiving portion 186. That coin-receiving portion is disposed within 1e notch 61 in the closed end of the coin chute 58. A helical extension spring 18% has the lower end thereof hooked through an opening in the lever 174 which is disposed to the left of the pivot 84 and has the upper end thereof hooked around the pin 8-5. That spring will thus bias the lever 17 5 for rotation in the clockwise dircction in FIG. 2, but can yield to permit rotation of that lever in the counter clockwise direction.

The ears 14 i, 162 and 139, respectively, of the levers 133, 356 and 174 are in register with, and are above, the car 12% which extends forwardly from the transfer plate llti. The ear 186 is initially disposed immediately adjacent the ear 12%, as shown by FIG. 2, the car 162 is normally disposed a short distance above the ear 120, as shown by FIG. 4, and the ear 14% is disposed even further above the ear 129, as shown by FIG. 5. Y

The weights 114, 34%, 158 and 176 are so dimensioned,

and are so positioned on the transfer plate lit and on a the coin-actuated levers E38, 156 and 174, that they render transfer plate and those coin-actuated levers statically balanced prior to the time the springs 154, 172 and 133;=-are connected to those coin-actuated levers. This is desirable,.because it minimizes the possibility that persons could etiect rotation of that transfer plate or of any of those coin-actuatedlevers by applying sharp blows to the device in which the coin-handling device of FIG. 1 is mounted. V

The numeral 1% denotes a block of insulation which is shown in FlGS. 13 and l4 as being generally rectangular in elevation. That block is secured to the rear face of the main'plate Si by fasteners 1%, shown as screws, which extend through. openings that block and seat in threaded openings in that main plate.

A 7 generally cylindrical recess 1921's formed in the front face of the block 190, and a smaller cylindrical recess 194 is formed in the block 191) and is contiguous with, and concentric with, the recess 192. A number of contacts 196 are held within openings in the block 199, and those contacts have generally spherical faces which abut the inner face of the recess 192. Those contacts have tubular shanks which project outwardly from the rear face of the block 190, and those shanks readily accommodate the ends of conductors. A metallic ring 198 is lodged within a shallow annular recess 197 that is intermediate the recesses 192 and 194; and the front face of that ring will lie in the plane of the inner face of the recess 192.

Terminals 199 extend rearwardly from the ring 198 and extend through openings in the block 190, and one of these terminals can accommodate a conductor. Those terminals can be suitably bent to enable them to fixedly hold the ring 198 in position within the recess 197. A rotor 200 has a hub which telescopes over the pivot 80, and that hub permits that rotor to rotate relative to that hub. That rotor is disposed within the recess 192, and it has a notch 201 in the periphery thereof which accom modates the pin 94 carried by the ratchet wheel 92; and that pin will cause the rotor 20% to rotate whenever the ratchet wheel 92 rotates. A wiper 202 is secured to the rotor 29%, and one terminal of that wiper will continuously engage the ring 198 while the other terminal of that wiper will engage the front faces of various of the contacts 196.

A solenoid, a mechanical linkage, or the like, not shown, will be suitably connected to the pin 104 of the toothed segment 98; and that solenoid, mechanical linkage, or the like will be controlled by the device with which the money-handling device of FIGS. l-lSA is used. That solenoid, mechanical linkage, or the like will pull downwardly on the pin 104 at some time prior to, during, or after the conclusion of each cycle of operation of that device; and that downward pull will move the toothed segment 98 to the position shown by FIGS. 2 and 4-6 and by solid lines in FIGS. ll2. Further downward movement of the toothed segment 98 will be prevented by the engagement of the pin 94, carried by the ratchet wheel 92, with one end of the arcuate slot '78, as shown by FIG. 3.

In the normal, at-rest condition of the money-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A, the spring 136 biases the pawl 122, adjacent transfer plate 118 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2 and thereby holds the ear 124 on that pawl in engagement with one of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92. In doing so, that spring and that pawl normally keep that ratchet wheel from rotating in the clockwise direction in response to the bias which is applied to that ratchet wheel by the spring 1118 via toothed segment 98 and pinion 90. Also, the springs 154, 172 and 188; respectively, bias the levers 138, 156 and 174 for rotation in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2. The engagements between the coin-receiving portions 152, 179 and 186 of the actuators 150, 168 and 184 with the upper ends of the notches 74, 68 and 61 of the coin chutes 79, 64 and 58 limit the clockwise rotation of the levers 138, 156 and 174 to the positions shown by FIG. 2. The transfer plate 110 has its ear 116 immediately adjacent the pawl 122, and has its ear 118 underlying and supporting the pawl 128. The ear 130 on that pawl is disposed out of the path of the teeth on ratchet wheel 92.

has one terminal therof in engagement with thering 198 h i but has the other terminal thereof out of engagement with all of the contacts 196. V The coin chutes 78, 64 and 58 are intended to accom- 10 moda te coins of different denominations. In one pre ferred embodiment of the present invention, those coin chutes are, respectively, intended to accommodate nickels, dimes and quarters.

The increased spacing between the bottoms of the coin chutes 7t and 64, as against the spacing between the tops of those coin chutes, is important in providing free movement of the actuator 168 relative to the coin chute 70 while permitting the tops of those coin chutes to be in register with the coin exits of the slug rejector, not shown. It will be noted, from a comparison of FIGS. 4 and 5, that the coin-receiving portion 170 of the actuator 168 extends to the left beyond the coin-receiving portion 152 of the actuator 150 and also extends beyond the left-hand edge of the notch '74 in the coin chute 70. However, because of the increased spacing between the bottoms of the coin chutes 70 and 64, the actuator 168 and its coin-receiving portion 170 can move freely without engaging the coin chute '70. The fact that the notches 61, 68 and 74 open to the right in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5 is important in facilitating the assembling of the coin-actuated levers 174, 156 and 138 with the pivot 84. Specifically, those notches make it possible to telescope the hubs of those coin-actuated levers over the pivot 84 even though.

the actuators 184, 168 and 151), respectively, are fixedly secured to those coin-actuated levers.

When a nickel is introduced into the coin chute 70, as by a slug rejector, not shown, that nickel will engage the coin-receiving portion 152 of the actuator 159 and will overcome the bias provided by the spring 154. Thereupon, the coin-actuated lever 138 will rotate in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 2 and will cause the ear 144 thereon to move down into engagement with the ear on the transfer plate 110. That movement will occur while the coin-receiving portion 152 of the actuator 15% is spaced from the flange 66 on the U-shaped coin chute 64 a distance less than the diameter of the nickel. As a result, that nickel will have to force the actuator 15% further downwardly in order to pass through, and to move downwardly beyond, the coin chute 70. Such further movement of the actuator 15!) will cause the ear 144 on the coin-actuated lever 138 to act through the ear 120 on the transfer plate 116 to rotate that trans-= fer plate in the counter clockwise direction about the pivot 84; and such rotation will cause the ear on the pawl 128 to move into the path of a tooth on the ratchet wheel 92. That further movement of the actuator 151) also will cause the ear 146 on the coin-actuated lever 138 to move into the path of a further tooth on that ratchet wheel. Still further downward movement of the actuator 150 will cause the ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 to force the ear 124 on the pawl 122 out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92. The spring 1118 will then act through the segment 98 and the pinion 90 to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction until the said further tooth on that ratchet wheel engages and is held by the ear 146. As the ratchet wheel 92 so rotates, it will raise the pawl 128 up away from the ear 118 on the transfer plate 110. The result is that the downward movement of the actuator 150 will be able to effect clockwise advancement of theratchet wheel 92 a distance less than the width of a tooth on that ratchet wheel. j

After the nickel moves beyond the coin-receiving portion 152 of the actuator 151 the spring 154 will cause the coin-actuated lever 138 to move back toward its normal position. As that lever does so, it will move the ear 144 upwardly; and thereupon the bias of the spring 136 will force the ear 124 on the pawl 122 to move back into the path of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 92. As that ear so moves, it will move into position to intercept and hold the tooth which was above the tooth originally held by that ear. The spring 136 also will cause the pawl 122 toact through the ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 to move that transfer plate back to its normal position;

and, as that transfer plate so moves, it will act through the pivot 134 to move the car 130 on the pawl 128 out of the path of the first said tooth on the ratchet wheel 92. Almost simultaneously, the coin-actuated lever will move the ear 146 thereon out of the path of said further tooth on that ratchet wheel and thereupon the spring 108 will act through the segment 98 and the pinion 90 to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction until the ear 124 halts that rotation. As the car 130 on the pawl 128 is moved out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92, that pawl will fall downwardly and again come to rest upon the ear 118 on the transfer plate 110.

The overall result is that the insertion of a nickel will cause the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A to advance the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction a distance equal to the width of one tooth. As that ratchet wheel so advances, the wiper 202 will advance until the upper terminal thereof is in engagement with the first of the contacts 196.

If the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-1 A is used, is intended to be actuated upon the insertion of a nickel, the movement of the upper terminal of the wiper 202 into engagement with the first of the contacts 196 will complete a circuit that will initiate a cycle of operation of that controlled device. At some time during, or subsequent to, that cycle of operation of that controlled device, the solenoid, the mechanical linkage, or the like, not shown, will apply a downward pull to the pin 194. That downward pull will urge the segment 98 to rotate down toward its normal position, and will thus urge the ratchet wheel 92 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction. The inclined face, of that tooth on the ratchet wheel 92 which is immediately below the ear 124 on the pawl 122, will respond to the counter clockwise forces applied to the ratchet wheel 92 by the downward pull on the segment 98 to cam that ear out of engagement with that tooth and thereby permit the ratchet wheel $2 to rotate back to its normal position. As the pin 94 again abuts the upper end of the arcuate slot 78 in the main plate 5%, the ratchet wheel 92 will come to rest; and thereupon the spring 136 will again force the ear 124 on the pawl 122 into holding engagement with the ratchet wheel 92.

It the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A is used, is set. to require the insertion of ten cents, a second nickel would have to be inserted. That second nickel would cause the coin-actuated lever 138 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction and then free that lever for rotation in the clockwise direction. Such rotation of the coin-actuated lever 13% would permit the ratchet wheel 92 to advance in the clockwise direction a distance equal to the width of one tooth, in the manner described hereinbefore. That advancement would place the upper terminal of the wiper 262 in engagement with the second contact 1%; and thereupon a circuit would be completed that would initiate a cycle of operation of that controlled device. Either during, or subsequent to, the ensuing cycle of operation of that controlled device, a downward pull will be applied to the pin i6 3; and that downward pull will cause the segment 98 to act through the pinion 99 to return the ratchet wheel 92m its normal position.

If the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. l-l5A is used, was set to require the insertion of twenty-five cents, five nickels could be introduced. Each nickel would cause the coin-actuated lever 133 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction and then free that lever for rotation in the clockwise direction.

12 a cycle of operation of that controlled device. Either during, or subsequent to, the ensuing actuation of that controlled device, the segment 93 would be pulled downwardly and would cause the ratchet wheel 92 to be restored to its normal position.

The coin-handling device of FIGS. 1l5A has twentyfive contacts 196, and each contact can represent five cents. Consequently, controlled devices with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A is used can establish sales prices from five cents through one dollar and twenty-five cents. Further, by equipping such controlled devices with penny-dispensing mechanisms, sales prices from one cent through one dollar and twenty-five cents can be established. 7

If the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. l-lSA is used, is set to require the insertion of ten cents, a dime can be introduced into the coin chute 6 2-, as by the slug rejector, not shown. That dime will engage the coin-receiving portion 170 of the actuator 168 and will overcome the bias provided by the spring 172. Thereupon, the coin-actuated lever 156 will rotate in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 2 and will cause the car 162 thereon to move down for engagement with the ear 120 on the transfer plate 110. .That movement will occcur while the coin-receivin g portion 179 of the actuator 163 is spaced from the flange 52 a distance less than the diameter of the dime. As a result, that dime will have to force the actuator 16% further downwardly in order to pass through, and to move downwardly beyond, the coin chute Such further movement of the actuator 168 will cause the car 164 on the coin-actuated lever 156 to move into position above the car 132 on the pawl 128 and will move the ear 162 on that coin-actuated lever into engagement with the car 120 on the transfer plate 116. Still further downward movement of the actuator 168 will cause the ear 130 on the pawl 128 to move into the path of a tooth on the ratchet wheel 92; and the final downward movement of the actuator 168 will cause the ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 to move the ear 124 on the pawl 122 out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92. The spring 1633 will then act through the segment 98 and the pinion 9t to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction, and the car 139 will force the pawl 128 to rotate with that ratchet wheel. The rotation of that pawl aand ratchet wheel will be stopped by the engagement of the ear 132 on that pawl with the ear 164 on the coin-actuated lever 156; but that rotation will be long enough to enable the ratchet wheel 92 to advance a distance just less than the width of two teeth.

It will'be noted that when the dime was inserted, the ratchet wheel 92 advanced in one rather than in two steps. specifically, the ratchet wheel 92 was freed for rotation in the clockwise direction by the right-hand movement of the ear 124 on pawl 122, and that ratchet wheel rotated freely until the ear 132 on the pawl 128 engaged and was held by the ear 164 on the lever 156. The length of the down-' wardly-directed portion of lever 156, on which the ear 164 is formed, is dimensioned so the rotation of the ratchetwheel 92 was just less than the width of two teeth. After the dime moves beyond the coin-receivin g portion 178 of the actuator 16%, the spring 17 2 will cause the coin actuated lever 156 to move back toward its normal position. As' that lever does so', it will move the car 162 Q thereon far enough upwardly to permit the spring 136 Each such rotation of the coin-actuated lever 133 would eiiect an advancement of therratchet wheel 92 a distance in the clockwise direction equal to the width of one tooth; in the manner described hereinbefore. The overall to force the car 124 on the pawl 122 to move back into the path of: the teeth of the ratchet wheel 92. As that car so moves, it willmove into position to intercept and hold one of the teeth which was above the tooth originally held by that ear. The spring 136 also will cause the pawl 22 to act through the ear 116 on the transfer plate to move that transfer plate back to its normal position; and, as that transfer plate so moves,it will act through the pivot 134- to move thefear 13% on the pawl 128 out of the path of the teeth on that ratchet wheel. Thereupon the spring 1 28 will act through the segment 98 and the pinion 90 to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction until the ear 124 halts that rotation. As the car 130 on the pawl 128 is moved out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92, that pawl will fall downwardly and again come to rest upon the ear 118 on the transfer plate 110. The coin-actuated lever 156 will respond to the spring 172 to return to the position shown by FIG. 2.

The overall result is that the insertion of a dime will cause the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A to advance the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction a distance equal to the width of two teeth. As that ratchet wheel so advances, the wiper 2112 will advance until the upper terminal thereof is in engagement with the second contact 196; and thereupon a circuit will be completed which will initiate a cycle of operation of the controlled device.

During, or subsequent to, the ensuing cycle of operation of the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. l-lSA is used, a downward pull will be applied to the pin 1134 and the segment 98 will act through the pinion 99 to restore the ratchet wheel 92 to its normal position. The inclined faces of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92 will readily cam the ear 124 on pawl 122 outwardly during the restoring movement of that ratchet wheel.

If the sales price, called for by the device with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-10 is used, requires the insertion of a number of dimes, each dime will effect rotation of the lever 156 in the counter clockwise direction and then will permit that lever to rotate back to its normal position. Each dime will effect an advancement of the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction a dis tance equal to the width of two teeth of that ratchet wheel; and, as a result, the wiper 202 will advance a distance equal to two contacts 196.

In the event the sales price, called for by the device with which the coin-handling device of FIGS.'l-15A is used, is twenty-five cents, one nickel and two dimes can be inserted; and the nickel will advance the ratchet wheel 92 a. distance equal to the width of one tooth, and each of the dimes will advance that ratchet wheel a distance equal to the width of two teeth. If desired, three nickels and one dime can be inserted; and each nickel will advance the ratchet wheel 92 a distance equal to the width of one tooth, and the dime will advance that ratchet wheel a distance equal to the width of two teeth. Further, if desired, a quarter can be inserted in the coin chute :78, as by the slug rejector, not shown. That quarter will engage the coin-receiving portion 186 of the actuator 184 and will overcome the bias provided by the spring 188. Thereupon the coin-actuated lever 174 will rotate in the counter clockwise direction in FIG. 2 and will enable the ear 180 thereon to act through the ear 120 on the transfer plate 110 to move the ear 13%) on the pawl 123 into the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92. Further counter clockwise rotation of the coin-actuated lever 174 will cause the ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 to move the ear 124 on the pawl 122 out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel. The spring 1118 will then act through the segment 93 and the pinion 90 to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction; and the pawl 128 will rotate with that ratchet wheel, because the coin-actuated lever 174 will be holding the transfer plate 110 in its counter clockwise position and the pivot 134 will always hold the ear 130 in engagement with a tooth of that ratchet wheel whenever that transfer plate is in its couner clockwise position. As the pawl 128 rotates with the ratchet wheel 92, the ear 132 thereon will move upwardly into engagement with the left-hand edge of the transfer plate 110 and will be held against further rotation. Because the ear 132 will be held against further rotation, the ratchet wheel 92 also will beheld against further rotation; but the rotation of the ratchet wheel 92 will have been almost equal to the width of five teeth on that ratchet wheel.

After the quarter moves beyond the coin-receiving portion 186 of the actuator 184, the spring 188 will cause the coin-actuated lever 174 to move back toward its normal position. As that lever does so, it will move the car 180 upwardly; and thereupon the bias of the spring 136 will force the ear 124 on the pawl 122 to move back into the path of the teeth of the ratchet wheel 92. As that ear so moves, it will move into position to intercept and hold a tooth which was above the tooth originally held by that ear. The spring 136 also will cause the pawl 122 to act through the ear 116 on the transfer plate 110 to move that transfer plate back to its normal position; and, as that transfer plate so moves, it will act through the pivot 134 to move the ear 139 on the pawl 128 out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92; and thereupon the spring 108 will act through the segment 98 and the pinion to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction until the ear 124 halts that rotation. As the car 130 on the pawl 128 is moved out of the path of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92, that pawl will fall downwardly and again come to rest upon the ear 118 on the transfer plate 110. The coin-actuated lever 174 will respond to the spring 188 to return to the position shown by FIG. 2.

The overall result is that the insertion of a quarter will cause the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A to advance the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction a distance equal to the width of five teeth. As that ratchet wheel so advances, the wiper 202 will advance until the upper terminal thereof is in engagement with the fifth contact 196; and thereupon a circuit will be completed which will initiate a cycle of operation of the controlled device.

During, or subsequent to, the ensuing cycle of operation of the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. l-lSA is used, a downward pull will be applied to the pin 104 and the segment 98 will act through the pinion 90 to rotate the ratchet wheel 92 back to its normal position. The inclined faces of the teeth on the ratchet wheel 92 will readily cam the ear 124- on the pawl 122 outwardly during the restoring movement of that ratchet wheel.

If the controlled device, with which the coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A is used, is intended to establish a sales price requiring the insertion of a number of quarters, each quarter will cause the lever 174 to rotate in the counter clockwise direction and will then free that lever for rotation back to its normal position. Each insertion of a quarter will provide an advancement of the ratchet wheel 92 in the clockwise direction a distance equal to the width of five teeth on that ratchet wheel.

Where desired, any combination of nickels, dimes and quarters can be inserted, and those quarters can be inserted in random sequence. Each quarter will cause the ratchet wheel 92 to advance a distance equal to the width of five teeth, each dime will cause that ratchet wheel to advance a distance equal to two teeth, and each nickel will cause that ratchet wheel to advance a distance equal to one tooth. Then, during or after the cycle of operation of the controlled device, with which the coinhandling device of FIGS. 1-15A is used, the solenoid mechanical linkage, or the like will apply a downward force to the pin 1% and act through the segment 98 and the pinion as to restore the ratchet wheel 92 to its normal position.

The coin-handling device of FIGS. 1-15A has a nickel-actuated lever, a dime-actuated lever, and a quara ter-actuated lever; but, where desired, any one or two of those levers could be removed. The removal of any one or two of those levers would not alfect the operation of the remaining levers or lever, because the transfer plate responds to each of those levers. As a result,

" the coin-handling device of FIGS. l-lSA can be used 

1. A COIN-HANDLING DEVICE THAT CAN RESPOND TO THE INSERTION OF COINS TO ESTABLISH CREDITS AND THAT COMPRISES: (A) A PIVOT, (B) A RATCHET WHEEL ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PIVOT, (C) A SPRING BIASING SAID RATCHET WHEEL FOR ROTATION IN ONE DIRECTION, (D) A PAWL THAT NORMALLY ENGAGES SAID RATCHET WHEEL TO PREVENT ROTATION OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL IN SAID DIRECTION, (E) A SECOND PIVOT, (F) A LEVER THAT HAS AN ACTUATOR THEREON WITH A COINRECEIVING PORTION WHICH IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE COINS OF A PREDETERMINED DENOMINATION, (G) A SECOND LEVER THAT HAS AN ACTUATOR THEREON WITH A COIN-RECEIVING PORTION THAT IS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE COINS OF A SECOND DENOMINATION, (H) SAID LEVERS BEING ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND PIVOT AND BEING ROTATABLE RELATIVE TO THE FIRST SAID PIVOT AND TO SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (I) A TRANSFER PLATE THAT IS ROTATABLY MOUNTED ON SAID SECOND PIVOT AND THAT IS SELECTIVELY ENGAGEABLE BY EACH OF SAID LEVERS, (J) SAID TRANSFER PLATE NORMALLY PERMITTING SAID PAWL TO REMAIN IN POSITION TO HOLD SAID RATCHET WHEEL AGAINST ROTATION IN SAID DIRECTION BUT BEING MOVABLE BY EACH OF SAID LEVERS TO MOVE SAID PAWL TO A POSITION WHERE IT FREES SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (K) SAID TRANSFER PLATE BEING IN PART COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (L) A THIRD PIVOT THAT IS CARRIED BY SAID TRANSFER PLATE AND THAT IS ADJACENT THE FIRST SAID PIVOT, (M) A SECOND PAWL THAT IS ROTATABLY SECURED TO SAID TRANSFER PLATE BY SAID THIRD PIVOT AND THAT IS MOVABLE WITH SAID TRANSFER PLATE, (N) SAID SECOND PAWL NORMALLY BEING SPACED FROM SAID RATCHET WHEEL TO PERMIT ROTATION OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL RELATIVE TO SAID SECOND PAWL BUT RESPONDING TO MOVEMENT OF SAID TRANSFER PLATE TO MOVE INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (O) SAID SECOND PAWL BEING IN PART COEXTENSIVE WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND HAVING THE CENTER OF ROTATION THEREOF ADJACENT THE FIRST SAID PIVOT WHEREBY SAID SECOND PAWL CAN ROTATE WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (P) A STOP THAT IS ADJACENT SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND THAT IS ADAPTED TO NORMALLY HOLD SAID SECOND PAWL IN A PREDETERMINED POSITION ADJACENT SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (Q) A SECOND STOP THAT IS ADJACENT SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND THAT IS SPACED FROM THE FIRST STOP AND THAT IS ADAPTED TO INTERCEPT SAID SECOND PAWL WHEN SAID SECOND PAWL ROTATES WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND TO THEREBY HALT ROTATION OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (R) A THIRD STOP THAT IS SPACED FROM THE FIRST SAID STOP A DISTANCE DIFFERENT THAN THE SPACING BETWEEN THE FIRST SAID STOP AND SAID SECOND STOP, (S) SAID THIRD STOP BEING ADAPTED TO INTERCEPT SAID SECOND PAWL WHEN SAID SECOND PAWL ROTATES WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND TO THEREBY HALT ROTATION OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL, (T) A MECHANISM THAT CAN SELECTIVELY RESTORE SAID RATCHET WHEEL TO ITS NORMAL POSITION, (U) AND A PRICE-SETTING MEMBER THAT IS MOVABLE WITH SAID RATCHET WHEEL TO PERMIT INITIATION OF A CYCLE OF OPERATION OF A CONTROLLED DEVICE WITH WHICH SAID COIN-HANDLING DEVICE IS USED, (V) THE FIRST SAID STOP BEING ADJUSTABLE TO PROVIDE A NUMBER OF INITIAL POSITIONS IN WHICH SAID SECOND PAWL CAN BE HELD AND CAN THEREBY PROVIDE A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALLY DIFFERENT ADVANCEMENTS FOR SAID SECOND PAWL, (W) SAID PRICE-SETTING MEMBER BEING A PLATE THAT CAN BE SET IN DIFFERENT POSITIONS RELATIVE TO SAID RATCHET WHEEL AND CAN THEREBY VARY THE NUMBER OF ADVANCEMENTS OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL REQUIRED TO PERMIT INITIATION OF SAID CYCLE OF OPERATION OF SAID SECOND DEVICE, (X) SAID SECOND STOP BEING ON SAID SECOND LEVER AND NORMALLY BEING SPACED OUT OF THE PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND PAWL BUT MOVING INTO SAID PATH OF MOVEMENT OF SAID SECOND PAWL WHEN A COIN ENGAGES AND MOVES SAID COIN-RECEIVING PORTION OF SAID ACTUATOR OF SAID SECOND LEVER, (Y) SAID THIRD STOP BEING ON SAID TRANSFER PLATE, (Z) SAID PRICE-SETTING MEMBER AND THE FIRST SAID STOP PROVIDING A MULTIPLICITY OF POSSIBLE PRICE-ADVANCEMENT COMBINATIONS FOR SAID COIN-HANDLING DEVICE, (AA) SAID PAWLS BEING DISPOSED AT OPPOSITE SIDES OF SAID RATCHET WHEEL. 